"They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." Hebrews 11:37b-38

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

If you could do something to provide life, or keep yourself living, would you do it? Sure you would. That's pretty much an easy answer to give. But is it really? What if there was a cost to your decision. . . a consequence to kick in, or someone to whom you were held to account with? What then? I give you two examples of this kind of decision. One is a video in the positive (providing life) and one is in the negative (taking life away). On to the videotape. . .

As you can see from the above clip from The Shawshank Redemption, Red left his place and gave up his life to follow Andy in Zihuatenejo, Mexico. I love that last line from Morgan Freeman, who played Red: "I hope." That's what it's all about, friends.

Our next video is in the negative: what do you abstain from or avoid to keep your life? Watch!

Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich gives the warning at 1:13 in the clip: "By the way, we had that water come in special for you folks. Came from a well in Hinkley." The response from the Ms. Sanchez character is mostly nonverbal as she refrains from drinking the now recognized deadly water, lowers the glass, and declares the meeting over. Visibly shook up, and put on the spot by Erin and her law partner Ed Masry, Ms. Sanchez backs down in the presence of her law partners, as well as the opposing side in the legal case. Telling scene. . .

* * *

The Gospel of John, chapter 6 contains the "Bread of Life" discourse of Jesus, which is below in its entirety.﻿

I Am the Bread of Life

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves.44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.48 I am the bread of life.49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread[c] the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”59 Jesus[d] said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

The Words of Eternal Life

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.

* * *

Let's set the scene here. Jesus has just fed 5000 people with fish and bread on the opposite side of the Sea of Galilee from Capernaum, on a hillside. The people sought him not to find out how he got to the other side of the Sea of Galilee so quickly, but when. The "when" aspect of their question reveals the spiritual condition of their hearts - the when shows Jesus they are looking to be fed the fish and bread again, and are not concerned with how Jesus got to where he now was (a story in itself, as Jesus walked on the water and approached the disciples' boat, and once in, the boat immediately came to land where they were headed - see verses 19 and 20).

Jesus calls them out on this. From our passage: 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

There's a limit to this physical world. Food only lasts so long. The human body lives on this earth physically only so many years. One can intellectually assent to someone being right or true, and not be changed physically beyond that. Faith begins when you go beyond the physical world, and trust in "things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). This is what Jesus is driving at in this conversation. Hoping in what is unseen that is beyond this mortal life. Eternal Life.

The next question from the people is "what must we do? Jesus replies with "believe in him (Jesus) who he (the Father) has sent." Now the word believe here in verse 29 is pisteuo in the Greek (Strong's Concordance word #4100) which has to do with being persuaded, and placing confidence in another, even saving faith. The Apostle John uses the word 85 times in his Gospel, and 7 times in 1 John. A rather important word to him, and to us.

The people asked Jesus for a sign again. This was so soon after the feeding of the five thousand, and a further indication of them not believing (pisteuo) in Jesus, placing their trust in him for eternal life. They talk of the manna given to Israel in the wilderness by Moses. Jesus lets them on a little secret: physically it looked like Moses fed them the manna from heaven, but it was really the Father who did it. The spirit world, heaven (and hell), and God are not seen, but are nevertheless real.

Jesus then said this:

33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.Give the bread, give the bread. . . that's all they are thinking about. Bread. Physical mortal life. Jesus' bread is far different from what they are used to: the bread of life. No hunger, no thirst - ever! But that's not good enough for the people. They don't pisteuo Jesus, and so go on nonbelieving. That's called eternal death - eternal separation from God and heaven. A sobering thought it should be.So this Jewish crowd grumble about Jesus saying he is the Bread of Life. They know him only as a carpenter's son, son of Joseph, and not as anyone else (which he is. . . eternal lifegiver and judge of all). Jesus then states "51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”That flesh part is one that confounds the Jews. They reply with " “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” It's one I probably would have asked not knowing anything more about Jesus than they did at that time before his crucifiction and resurrection. 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread[c] the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”Have you ever heard of initiation ceremonies? Now, I'm not an expert on every world religion out there, but I imagine there's one where you drink someone's blood and/or eat their flesh. There's cannibalism out there in human society, both in history and at the present time, as well as those who drink human blood. We all know from the HIV/AIDS situation how it's important not to share infected blood from those infected with HIV in blood transfusions, for example. The deal here is folks, if you share in another's flesh and/or blood, you partake wholly and completely of them, without reservation. You aren't just a pal or casual acquaintance. You're a true blue friend. A friend for life!This is what Jesus is driving at. Going all the way. Not having artificial boundaries from a human intellectual point of view on Jesus. Not having simply intellectual assent. No more knowing about Jesus, but knowing Jesus. Through and through. No reservations, no regrets. A friend for life. Red left his abode and job at the grocery store to follow his friend Andy in Zihuatenejo. He hoped to find a better life there, and did, recognizing that if he did go back, he would be found in violation of his parole. So he didn't go back. He came. You can too, friend. You can too. I did. So can you.Selah.

Monday, August 20, 2012

As I've been saying in a few posts now, I'm reading the most excellent book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson, 2010) which has made the New York Times Bestseller list. Previously, I've given quotations from the book. Now I'd like to reflect on the nature of how Bonhoeffer lived, and why the way he lived was and is attractive, moreso to those who choose to follow Jesus Christ.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer grew up with some advantages. He had a father - and what a father! - and a mother - with familial lineage to some of Germany's past and present theologians and learned men - and his siblings. His extended family of aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins simply added to the pastel of relationships Bonhoeffer enjoyed and benefited from.

His father, Karl Bonhoeffer, had a way of conducting family business. He was a believer in gathering the family around the table at mealtimes for discussion. From there, discussions about anything and everything would ensue. But the structure had the indelible imprint of Bonhoeffer's father, for his way of conducting a conversation around the table was this:

"Karl Bonhoeffer taught his children to speak only when they had something to say. He did not tolerate sloppiness of expression any more than he tolerated self-pity or selfishness or boastful pride. His children loved and respected him in a way that made them eager to gain his approval; he hardly had to say anything to communicate his feelings on a subject. Often a cocked eyebrow was all it took." (Metaxas, Page 15)

His children were taught to be in firm control of their emotions, according to Metaxas. While a certain part of this was cultural and familial practice, some of it is not, imho. The drive from Karl Bonhoeffer to his children was to know what you believe and what you think before you say it. . . so as to not be embarrassed when others find fault in your reasoning and logic. Fair enough, and actually, quite a gift . The art of speaking and debating around a table at mealtime - and learning how to speak - is quite the lost art in the current culture.

Structure, whether it be from the direction of conversation conducted by father Karl, or the ministrations of activities and learning from mother Paula, was a given that gave root and order. . . and a way to explore the world and find meaning in it.

From this foundation, Bonhoeffer was allowed to bloom in his own time. Bloom he did!

He would invite his students to his parent's house, where his father would engage, with his son, Bonhoeffer's young charges in discussion and lively debate. Of course there was food to eat, the centerpiece of any good conversation. Once established in a cabin in the woods, he would invite his students to come visit him there, away from Berlin and the big city, to talk and reflect. At one point, he told his landlady to allow some hooligan type students from the government run and funded state school (similar to a public high school in a way in the United States) to come in to his quarters. She complied, but wondered in amazement at the amount of trust he gave such young, undisciplined, potentially troublesome youth. And he would feed them there. His kitchen and icebox (or refrigerator, not sure without further research) weren't off limits to their hungry appetites. Such a draw, eh? (wink)

Now, I've got to confess. . . as a public school educator, if I allowed my students, once outside back in society, to do that, my wife for one would wonder if I had gone nuts or if I was losing it. That kind of act of hospitality is truly a mark of a believing follower of Christ. And that he did, but not from his childhood. The moment of trusting Jesus Christ to save him from his sins took place when Bonhoeffer was a young man, while still learning and preparing for his life's work. And he would revisit his faith and beliefs from time to time, deepening his relationship with Jesus and with those who are of the ekklesia - the called out ones of God - who knew and walked with Jesus. This is not the same group of people known in that day as the government state supported Lutheran Church (to be German was to be Lutheran). Not at all! It was the voluntary group of people who confessed Christ as Lord.

Other ways of showing people care were visiting the sick in the hospital, showing up at home after class to inquire as to the health of a student (and to give him classwork and/or tutoring), and visiting relatives regularly and often. Letter writing, the thing back then instead of texting or emailing, was de rigueur for Bonheoffer and his family. In this way, through letter writing and visits, he got to know a good deal of his extended family in person in his abbreviated days on this earth.

These kind of actions are familiar to me. They were not always demonstrated or instilled from my childhood, but as young believer in Jesus Christ, I saw them demonstrated over the years in his people, the church. I particularly remember my Young Adult Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, M. Craig Barnes, delivering his message - actually sermon quality stuff - to our assembled class in the Cathedral Room in Hansen Hall, then ending it with this invitation: "I invite you all to come - well, not all you, but as many as Ann and I can fit into our living room - to our house. I'm going to leave the address and directions on the board so you may copy them down. Phone number is on the board should you get lost. . . there's a hill or two out east on our street for those who don't get out that way much. Hope to see many of you there tonight where we'll continue our conversation. . . this time by you asking the questions, instead of me posing them for you." Golden words by a gifted pastor, then as now. Who could resist such an invitation to come and spend time in great conversation. . . and ice cream to boot? I learned much from my time spent with Craig at his house.

Ice cream. . . makes me think of another gifted pastor, Todd Dubord, and his wife Tracy. Back in the days when he served as Pastoral Assistant at First Presbyterian Church of Palmdale, Todd would invite the church to come out to a local restaurant for "Pie a la mode," as he termed it. This was in reality his "dry run" for his sermons he gave on Sunday mornings at the church. . . but not everyone caught on to that. Todd would pose the provocative question for the day, and we would discuss and debate the thing. . . sometimes for hours. I never stayed past Midnight, though, if I recall correctly. Fun times, and a great time to get to know others who were passionate and willing servants of Jesus.

Life together. . . Eating together, conversing together, doing tasks together, helping one another together. . . this is how Bonhoeffer realized how Christians should live - in community. To learn from one another. . . together. Of course, one of Bonhoeffer's written works is titled Life Together. This isn't a review of that book, however. . . but nonetheless you get a flavor of where he was coming from in this reflection here from Metaxas' excellent biography of the man.

My adult Sunday School class at Grace Chapel had in attendance this past Sunday two young missionaries to the Middle East. I asked the question: "So how do these folks who know the Muslim faith quite well hear you out. . . how do you reach them and communicate with them the Good News of Jesus Christ?" Words to that effect. The answer is disarming: "I simply say God's Word to them from the Bible. The Holy Spirit will illumine their hearts and help them to turn to Jesus Christ, if they will but let him." See! Our battle is not against flesh and blood. . . for these Muslim folks are just the same spiritually speaking as anyone else in the world who is without Christ. . . lost and in spiritual darkness.

This is what Bonhoeffer eventually realized. Without God's Word, we are all lost and in spiritual darkness, being apart from Christ and his blessings of Heaven. So, as I always strive to do, I'll leave you with an applicable Bible passage that speaks to the topic at hand. From 1 Corinthians 6 (New Living Translation):

3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us,[c] and by our sincere love.7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

Open our hearts to us! The call the Apostle Paul had for the Corinthian church, and the call Dietrich Bonhoeffer had for the students and community he served. Don't withold. . . don't keep back. . . but open wide your heart, not only to us, but to Jesus Christ, the Living One, the Firstborn of the Dead, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What a charge to keep this is. . . and may God help me to do it day by day, in his power, not my own.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Living here in the Mojave Desert, I find a lot of people escaping. Escaping from what? An ex-spouse, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, another relative, big city life in Los Angeles, you name it. They end up here, where I live. I see them all the time in my daily errands and such.

Since people need to buy food and drink, whether of the supermarket variety or restaurant kind, you're bound to rub shoulders with them. So I do. One such person was in line for a sandwich and drink on a hot Summer day recently, kid in tow. I, having my Bonhoeffer book in my hand - I am working to complete more chapters as time goes on, as you may know from my previous post - strike up a conversation. Kinda like a pre-evangelism conversation, springing from my Bonhoeffer book's cover photo. I forget what I mentioned to her now, but I do remember her response: "I'm not here for anything heavy. I'm just here to eat!"

Well. . . not that I was being too forward or anything. . . at least I don't think so. Just a different kind of person that you find here versus other parts of Southern California. . . like the kind that has major four year universities, for starters. Anyways, probably yet another instance of narcissism restaurant style.

Another woman, with their mother, was in a discount store in line for the cashier ready to have their purchases rung up. She saw me come to the back of her, and asked me, "would you like to come in front of me?" Hey. . . that's my line I say to people, especially people in a hurry. I, with few items and in no particular hurry, decline the gracious offer. Then I asked her if she might know a certain person whose first name starts with "J" and ends with "s." She says yes. I smile, and ask her, "so, where do you go to worship each week?" Right in front of her mother, she replies, "We don't go anywhere. Churches are too judgmental around here, you know." I wince at that statement. I counter with a statement of where I attend and am a member, Grace Chapel (listed as one of the links in "Links for the Journey" to the right of this page). "We aren't one of those judgmental churches," I reply. "In fact, we place a particular emphasis on Loving God and Loving People" (the church's motto). I make the invite to come and check it out, and - Ack! - didn't have any business cards with me at the moment. My bad. I tell her anyway. She smiles and says she will come. One never knows, of course.

There's a common thread here, of course. Doing things my way. Cafeteria style disengagement and faith a la carte. Picking and choosing what you believe and how you live as though you were in total control and in charge. Not heeding and respecting what the Word of God says on such matters. Heck, probably not even knowing what the Bible says, period!

Lots of bravado in those lyrics to be sure, laced with liberal doses of humanism.

* * *

God has an entirely different perspective on the issue of "how you do it." It's radically different. From Philippians 2 (NASB):

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [a] affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete [b]by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.3 Do nothing [c]from [d] selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped,7 but [g] emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross.9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.﻿

Being of the same mind. . . love, united in spirit, intent of one purpose. That describes the North American and Western culture to a tee, right? Nope. That's one of our problems. . . this constant, unremitting rebellion seemingly for the sake of rebellion. Why. . . no one seems to know. I smell deception from the Prince of the Power of the Air. . . 'nuff said!

Much more could be said about the above passage, but I'm focusing here a bit. Pardon me. . .

From Hebrews 10 (NASB):

, 22 let us draw near with a [h]sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Let us draw near. . . having our hearts. . . our bodies. . .

Let us hold fast. . . the confession of our hope. . . and let us consider. . . one another. . . not forsaking our own assembling together. . . but encouraging one another; as *you* see the day drawing near.

That's six uses of us, our and one another. Only one form of the first person singular, you, in the entire passage. That speaks volumes to me, my friend!

Not only is ministry a team sport, but so is Christian community and worship. Worship is to be done corporately, together as Christ's body assembled, as the writer of Hebrews instructs above.

Countercultural, to be sure. Radical, even. But that's what following Jesus and being on the Pilgrim Journey is all about. Leaving the City of Destruction and traveling by God's grace to the Celestial City, where all this discordant nonsense will never abide and will be forgotten in the midst of celebrating at His banqueting table, where those this world thought nothing of, Jesus thought everything of. . . to the point of obediently dying for them on a Cross.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I am reading Eric Metaxas' excellent book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (2010 by Thomas Nelson Publishers) which made it onto the New York Times Bestseller list in 2011. I've only made it through the first nine chapters so far (there are 31 chapters in all), but I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book. The first few chapters establish time, place, and circumstances of his early life. Once past that, the story picks up and becomes engrossing. One to reflect upon and not read quickly. . . and one to use a highlighter and/or pen to mark important passages with. I've done so.

Bonhoeffer, to those who don't know, was a German pastor in pre-Hitler and pre-World War II Germany, as well as during the war. He could have established residency in the United States in the 1930's, but declined to do so. Instead, he followed the call of God to speak God's truth to the secular power of the age. . . Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich itself. Bonhoeffer actually participated in a failed plot to assasinate Hitler just before Bonhoeffer himself died in a German war camp just prior to World War II ending. Exciting times, and an eventful man with God's leading. May we be the same in our generation! With that background given, here's some worthwhile quotes. All are from Dietrich Bonhoeffer unless otherwise indicated.

* * *﻿

Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued. (Page 85)

A summary from Metaxas: "In an attempt to be more sophisticated than the fundamentalists, whom they (theological liberals) hated, they had jettisoned serious scholarship altogether. They seemed to know what the answer was supposed to be and weren't much concerned with how to get there. They knew only that whatever answer the Fundamentalists came up with must be wrong. For Bonhoeffer, this was scandalous." (Page 103)

The sermon has been reduced to parenthetical church remarks about newspaper events. (Page 106)

. . .

In New York they preach about virtually everything: only one thing is not addressed, or is addressed so rarely that I have as yet been unable to hear it, namely the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Cross, sin and forgiveness, death and life. (Page 106)

So what stands in the place of the Christian message? An ethical and social idealism born by a faith in progress. . .

The (liberal) church (is) as a social corporation. . . (Page 107)

From Metaxas: "Bonhoeffer quickly grew weary of the sermons in places like (theologically liberal) Riverside (Church, New York City), so when Fisher invited him to a service at Abyssynian (Baptist Church, New York City), he was thrilled to go along. There, in the socially downtrodden African American community, Bonhoeffer would finally hear the gospel preached and see its power manifested. The preacher at Abyssinian was a powerful figure named Dr. Adam Clayton Powell Sr." (Pages 107-8)

Again, from Metaxas: "By the mid-1930's, Abyssinian boasted fourteen thousand members and was arguably the largest Protestant church of any kind in the whole United States. When Bonhoeffer saw it all, he was staggered." (Page 108)

Metaxas again: ". . . the only real piety and power that he had seen in the American church seemed to be in the churches where there were a present reality and a past history of suffering." (Page 110)

I still believe that the spiritual songs of the southern negroes represent some of the greatest artistic achievements in America. (Page 114) I'll add this note: Bonhoeffer was so struck with the power and influence of the negro spirituals he listened to that he took these recordings with him back to Germany, to allow his students and others to listen to them as he first did so. They were some of his most treasured possessions, according to Metaxas.

From Metaxas: "He seemed to want to warn everyone to wake up and to stop playing church." (Page 122)

When I took leave of my black friend, he said to me: 'Make our sufferings known to Germany, tell them what is happening to us, and show them what we are like.' I wanted to fulfill this obligation tonight. (Page 128)

From Metaxas: (from one of Bonhoeffer's students) "Among the public, there spread the expectation that the salvation of the German people would now come from Hitler. But in the lectures we were told that salvation comes only from Jesus Christ." (Page 128)

If you want to be pastors, then you must sing Christmas carols. (Page 129)

From Metaxas: "He loved. And by being with his disciples, he showed them what life was supposed to look like, what God had intended it to look like." (Page 129)

From Metaxas, again: "Bonhoeffer aimed to model the Christian life with his students. This led him to the idea that, to be a Christian, one must live with Christians." (Page 130)

Leaders or officers who set themselves up as gods mock God and the individual who stands alone before him, and must perish. (Page 142)

From Metaxas: "The words of the decree (Reichstag Fire Edict), produced and signed into effect before anyone had had time to think carefully about it, made possible most of the horrors ahead, including the concentration camps." (Page 149) Yup. . . there went the German people's individual liberties and civil rights, just like that!

All of this reminds me of the famous quote by philosopher George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall," the Apostle Paul advised in another context in 1 Corinthians 10:12, but one connected to the issue at hand: the allowance of evil and idolatry in one's life and in the culture at large.

I hate evil, because God does. It's real. C'mon. . . you mean to tell me that the Aurora, Colorado Batman movie theater killer was a good guy? He was and is mentally troubled, for starters. Or how about the Iranians rattling their sabers at Israel? Isthat good? No! Or how about what happened to Kelly Thomas, the homeless man who was beaten and killed at the hands of the Fullerton, California police department? Isthat good? Look at all the demonstrations that event caused. No! How about the inclination of my heart to not be with God's people, the ekklesia, the called out ones of God, and share my life transparently in front of God and man as I do Sunday by Sunday? Is that good? No!

See, evil is everywhere in every person, because "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," Paul wrote in Romans 3:23. "All our righteousness is as filthy rags," the prophet Jeremiah wrote (Jeremiah 64:6). This is why Jesus came. To allow us to exchange our filthy rags for a white robe, where we are judged "not guilty" by God the Father, because he sees "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow," Isaiah the prophet declared (Isaiah 1:8)

This is the Great Exchange. . . one Bonhoeffer had, and I've had as well. It's the best exchange you'll ever have in your life, to rid yourself of all your guilt and shame you have before God the Father and let Jesus bear the burden and the punishment of your sin. . . a subsitutionary sacrifice. . . which is one main reason why he is worshiped as God the Son, part of the Trinity.

Questions about the above? Please do leave a comment below. I do check regularly for them, and I'd be honored to help folks deal with this issue in a gentle, loving, compassionate way. I know. I've been in that position.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Now comes the time in this Wandering Pilgrim's journey where he encounters disagreement and discord from others. The names aren't the important thing, and as a courtesy, I'm leaving the names out of this essay, remembering well the saying from my Al-Anon days of "principles above personalities."

As you may know by now, my journal - my weblog here on the 'Net - is called Wandering Pilgrim's Progress. That's for a reason: I identify well with John Bunyan (b. 1628, d. 1688), who was jailed in 17th Century England due to his beliefs concerning the Christian Faith. He endured much more persecution than I ever have as yet, and his classic Pilgrim's Progress (found under "Links for the Journey" to the right of this page) originally published in two parts in 1678 and 1684retells his spiritual journey as he wrote it in his prison cell.

Bunyan used a lot of imagery in his writing, since his work was allegorical. Christian, the protaganist in the story, leaves the City of Destruction and journeys towards the Celestial City, the New Jerusalem. On the way, he encounters several different characters, some good, others not so good. He also travels along to new places. Here in this part of the journey in Bunyan's classic work Christian is found in what is termed Vanity Fair, having to do with the fluff and surface elements of this present world that don't translate - aren't found - in Heaven. So Vanity Fair is a distraction from his seeking the Celestial City, as well as a return to whence he came: Vanity Fair is actually the City of Destruction in a new light, with spiritual growth gained by Christian to the point he no longer sees things as he once did at the start of his journey. No, he sees his old town with new eyes, and so it is termed Vanity Fair.

What happens to Christian and Faithful, his friendly sidekick (or myself, in this case) when they travel to Vanity Fair? I found a great commentary that tells the story. It's below the break.

* * *

(1) They are treated as objects of sport.

As non-participants, both their unusual clothing and uncommon speech are mocked. Following his arrest, Bunyan was derided as a tinker, a biblical literalist, a pestilent fellow, as one ignorant of Greek, as one being possessed by the Devil.

(2) They respond with blessing and good words.

With the Spirit of Christ resting on them, they exchange good for evil, blessing for cursing, patience for hysteria, kindness for malice (Matt. 5:44; Romans 12:20-21; 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Peter 2:21-23).

(3) They draw a sympathetic following.

Through the agency of discriminating grace, some observers prove to be less predjudiced; consequently, they oppose the brutality of the baser sort. Jesus Christ encountered this same timid support which, when put to the test, did not amount to much (John 7:12-13).

(4) They promote violent disagreement.

While Christian and Faithful remain calm and sober as objects of blatant injustice, yet their righteous testimony stimulates bitter division between the two emerging factions. Jesus Christ is the universal divider of men (John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19; Acts 17:4-5, 32-34: 28:24). The two factions are:

(a) the moderate sympathizers .

Like Pilate (Luke 23:4), they have a sense of justice that is able to discern injustice. They know of thieves and pickpockets at the Fair who are far more worthy of this kind of condemnation. However, like Pilate (Luke 23:23-25), they lack moral courage.

(b) the militant antagonists.

Like the chief priests (Luke 23:10, 18), they are willfully blind to the evident godliness and innocence of the two pilgrims. Their resulting fury knows no bounds; they even charge their neighbors with complicity; they physically abuse them so that worldly gaiety gives way to worldly savagery.

As aliens and strangers to the world, yet in and not of the world, Christian and Faithful are told how to speak - in politically correct terms - and derided as not part of the cultural or geographic elite. Worse than that, they are told their beliefs and speech are wrong and reprehensible. Power through written expression is exerted and grasped for.

(2) They respond through loving God and loving people.

Knowing how depraved the heart of mankind is, as Jesus did, and aware of their own sinful state before experiencing new life in Jesus Christ and becoming a Follower of The Way, They know they first must pray for the souls of those persecuting them. Jesus said so himself (Matt. 5:44). Beyond that, they reach out and let them know there was no personal offense intended. If one is offended, it is because of the Cross of Christ, not any human individual. They remember the time spent together in restaurants, hotels, museums, tourist areas, and the like, knowing generous practical hospitality is one of the marks of a growing disciple of Jesus. Distance separating them, all one may do presently is to generate some discussion items on the topic at hand in the hopes of the true light penetrating the darkness, and hearts might become soft in wanting to know more about what it means to be a Follower of The Way. . . and not necessarily choosing to become a Follower right then and there, but to understand what that perspective is like and what it entails as a legitimate worldview. All of this is done as Peter said, with gentleness and with respect (1 Peter 3:15).

(3) They are talked about, but without much impact to how people act.

Water cooler talk and talk radio - as two kinds of examples - verbally repeat the good that these two have done, but no one is willing to stick their neck out and commit to what they are doing, becoming like them in word and in deed. "Lack of trust in corrupt and poorly managed institutions," they cry. "I'm not a joiner," retorts another.

(4) Their testimony creates deep division between the group or crowd.

Calmly stating one's case concerning unjust behavior on the part of others, with gentleness and with respect, and leaving the results up to God is bound to create two opposing factions. They are:

(a) The morally uncourageous.

These are the "go with the flow" people who don't want to see the boat rocked. They don't want to reexamine their lives, or make any changes. They tell themselves they are content. . . but if they are really transparently honest with themselves, theirs are the lives of quiet desperation. True peace, love, joy, contentment. . . are not theirs to be had. A false sense of "happiness" may appear on the surface, but if one looks deeper, one may see the tracks of their tears. I know. I came from such a place decades ago. I know what it's like to live in such a place. And the thing is. . . one doesn't have to. But again, such a person must desire change to become what one cannot become on their own strength. The change comes from outside the person. I'll leave it at that for now. . .

(b) militant anarchists, New Athiests, practicing homosexuals, and various other Secular Humanists.

These are willfully blind towards any redeeming qualities of Christian and Faithful. They are led by emotion first, facts (if any) second. They alone know what is right, and they will force their beliefs, legislation, and social practices down your throats. . . "whether you like it or not," to quote the former Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsome. Accuracy in naming people, places and things in a narrative of complaint means little to these furious folks. As a result, coworkers, people sharing the same name, and neighbors get in the crossfire of their accusations. What was once a healthy, growing workplace, school, or community becomes a place of fear, mistrust, and doubt as these misguided people take control of the institution or community. Turnover becomes high, and morale sinks ever lower as the once blooming rose now simply stinks.

* * *

Well, there you have it. Persecution, a rather common event in the lives of Christian believers in other continents, is alive and well in North America, though in a more subdued and oblique way. Actually, there are believers in other parts of the world that are praying for persecution to come to believers in America. It purifies the church - the body of believers - and makes them more ready for service, for one thing. That is a good thing that pleases Jesus, so I'd say it's time for the church in North America to get ready for some more direct and in your face persecution. God will help us. . . and he is always faithful and true.

From Jesus' own lips in John 15:

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

From the Apostle whom Jesus loved in 1 John 3:

13 Do not be surprised, brothers,[c] that the world hates you.14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

The next passage, also in 1 John 3, is a real practical one that gets rubber to road really well. . .no time for hypocrisy!

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Well said words by the sage Apostle John towards the end of his long life. May God help me to do them the way John said. Until next time. . .